17 – 17. Antihero (3)
“What? Chief Seo said that?”
The space between Seo Woo-sung’s eyebrows narrowed.
The people who came to report were Kim Sung-do, the head of the Overseas Strategic Management Team 4, and Jo Dae-wan, the team leader.
The Overseas Strategic Management Team 4 was responsible for South America among the overseas branches of Seo Hwa Group. Jo Dae-wan, as a team leader, was in charge of Mexico, Cuba, and Guatemala.
As the team’s name suggested, the Overseas Strategic Management Team handled new business development on a national scale, withdrawal from downward business ventures, and the analysis and evaluation of branch performance.
“Did I hear wrong? Did Chief Seo really make such a proposal?”
Although Seo Woo-sung looked young, no one dared to challenge him.
Kim Sung-do cautiously spoke up.
“Deputy Chief Jo clearly expressed opposition at first, but suddenly, he insisted on proceeding, saying we must organize and report immediately… Oh, of course, Deputy Jo hasn’t reported to Chief Seo yet.”
Seo Woo-sung sighed deeply, leaning back in his chair.
“Why is Chief Seo acting like this lately? Instead of enjoying the position he’s secured using the corporate card, he keeps attaching meaning to it.”
Head Kim and Deputy Jo remained silent.
Usually, when a superior chews someone out, it’s common for others to intervene or add comments. But not now.
Even so, it’s family.
Even so, it’s a conglomerate.
Seo Woo-sung muttering to himself was the best scene to leave alone.
It felt like the conversation was cut off, and Manager Kim glanced at Deputy Manager Jo before speaking.
“Manager, should we postpone the meeting with Deputy Manager Jo? We can say that it took a long time to organize the materials, even if Director Seo gets angry for the delay.”
Manager Seo Woo Sung looked at Manager Kim Sung Do without any emotion.
That proud expression for coming up with a good suggestion.
Amusing.
To think that such a thing could be an alternative.
Manager Kim was like that.
A way to avoid.
A way to conceal.
A way to sidestep.
He was a man who had such thoughts first.
He was not a man who presented progressive or constructive ideas.
It’s not that the manipulator’s method is always wrong.
It’s a necessary means in necessary situations.
But this is not the situation for it now.
What’s important now is to understand why Seo Woo Jin made such a proposal.
But sitting there with such thoughts…
Why is he in charge of the Overseas Strategy Management Team 4?
His anger was rising, but he still looked at Manager Kim Sung Do with emotionless eyes.
He’s just a disposable man anyway.
If Cho Cha-jang grows a little more, he could easily take over the team manager position.
Until then, it wouldn’t be so bad to have an old dog like me around.
Without offering a different response to Manager Kim’s opinion, Manager Seo looked at Vice President Jo Dae-wan.
“Vice President Jo, did President Seo mention anything specific about the merger of the Guatemala branch?”
The merger of the Mexico and Guatemala branches.
It was a proposal made by President Seo Woo-jin.
The intention was simple.
To relocate the resources and manpower of the Seo Group within Guatemala to Mexico, making Mexico a more competitive market.
It also meant focusing on one place rather than meddling here and there.
In terms of national scale and marketability, it wasn’t a wrong judgment.
The problem is, “Why? Why now? Who are you to step up?”
Intuitively, Vice President Jo Dae-wan, or simply a vice president, doesn’t have the ability to consolidate overseas branches.
Conversely, President Seo Woo-jin doesn’t have the authority to command that.
Maybe if it were his father.
But would he report to his grandfather?
But why?
Why is he suggesting this?
Could it be that he doesn’t even know such basic things?
Thinking of President Seo, Vice President Jo Dae-wan spoke up.
“President Seo spoke as if he had a big picture in mind. He said that now is the time to carry out a new project by sending capable new employees to the South American headquarters. However, he didn’t clearly state what that project is.”
“..A new project.”
Manager Seo Woo Sung uttered the word ‘project’, but his thoughts were completely different.
‘Interested in South America?’
Sending so many new employees there bothered him for no apparent reason.
Strictly speaking, Director Seo never specifically ordered new employees to South America.
He only directed their overseas assignments.
He never specified any particular country.
Ironically, it was Manager Seo who did that.
It bothered him that Director Seo personally selected the list of new employee assignments.
So, he scattered them across various countries in South America, trying to send them as far away as possible.
But the odd thing was, when Vice President Park Young Woo checked which country the new employees were assigned to via email, there was no objection.
That basically meant approval.
Back then, he didn’t think much of it, but now, considering what Manager Jo said, it could be interpreted as having a keen interest in South America.
‘Did I… make a mistake?’
Could have aimed for something.
If mentioning South America directly in overseas assignments could reveal intent, maybe it was to subtly reach my ears through Vice President Park Young Woo…
‘Or it could be speculation…’
But if, by chance,
that’s true,
“..I’ve fallen into a trap.”
“What?”
“..Lieutenant Jo. Governor of Guatemala, haven’t you considered withdrawing the business before?”
“There was a review due to the party change issue.”
“The documents?”
“They are documented and stored.”
“Good. Use that as a basis, compile a report, and report directly to the head office. Schedule a meeting right away. Where should we hold it?”
Lieutenant Jo Daewhan asked, surprised.
“Do you plan to attend yourself?”
Manager Seo Wooseong responded with a cold, icy look.
“Our runaway little brother. I should see his face after a long time.”
# # #
“I’ll be back after the meeting.”
“What? A meeting?”
Secretary Kim Chaeyoon’s eyes widened, but as soon as our eyes met, she quickly returned to her original state.
Why is she like that?
Before I could express my doubts, she took out a notebook to jot down information.
“Um, where is the meeting being held…?”
Ah.
It’s a completely new notebook.
Probably because I’ve never attended a meeting before.
“This is a meeting regarding the overseas power management 4th team and strategies for activating the Mexico branch.”
At first, Deputy Director Jo Dae-wan was supposed to come for a report, but he said there was no need.
Just receiving the materials should be enough; why bother with unnecessary talk?
After checking the materials and making a call, he immediately said he would prepare for the meeting.
It took about an hour to get ready, but anyway, that’s why we’re leaving now.
“Yes! Please take care! Director Kim!”
Kim Chae-yoon greeted energetically.
Is it a bit of encouragement because I’m working?
Sigh.
What on earth has Seo Woo-jin been doing until now?
I lightly nodded my head and headed to the corridor.
While riding the elevator to the destination, Deputy Director Jo reviewed the materials he provided…
…
Sipeul.
Do I even have a clue?
There are so many difficult words that I can’t understand any of it!
Still, well, summarizing roughly, it goes like this.
Withdraw from Guatemala due to uncertain political issues, create a favorable business environment by moving the withdrawn resources to Mexico, and selective focus is expected to yield good results, that’s the opinion.
Even so, big companies are indeed big companies.
I could see you diligently putting together the answer with supporting materials.
“Is this the place?”
I took a deep breath in front of the conference room and opened the door.
As expected, the person I had predicted was sitting at the center of the conference table.
“Hello. Manager Seo.”
I bowed my head and greeted my brother.
“Welcome. Director Seo.”
Oh? He’s being quite formal.
Well, it’s an official setting, so I guess that’s expected.
But why the expression…
Ah, I should have acted surprised. Did I greet too naturally?
Then I should say something in response.
“I didn’t know you would come, Manager Seo.”
“There are some important matters for the group to discuss. Can you not make it?”
Right.
I should attend.
After all, he’s that kind of person.
He thinks there’s no one else but himself who can lead SeoHwa Group.
So, he touched Deputy Manager Jo Dae-wan.
Matdol and Eoi, with a thud, spilled information about my brother while discussing.
Then, by raising an important issue, I tried to reveal my presence in the group.
What would my second brother do then?
Naturally, he would come forward to trample me.
And.
I hoped for that.
He needs to come, for this plan to work.
I took my seat.
Fifteen people, including me, participated in the meeting.
As expected, quite a few people gathered for the meeting related to the merger of overseas branches.
I occasionally saw familiar faces, but most of them were strangers.
Probably because the guy who used to be me wasn’t interested in the company anymore.
For now, I’ll familiarize myself with their faces.
Seizing the moment of silence, Assistant Manager Jo Daewan stood up and began to lead the meeting.
“Hello. I’m Jo Daewan, Assistant Manager of Overseas Strategic Management Team 4. The agenda for today’s meeting is the review of the merger of the Mexico and Guatemala branches.”
And then, he began to speak gibberish that I couldn’t understand.
The report materials placed on the table in front.
Even looking at them again, I couldn’t make out what they were saying.
From Noble mtl dot com
Why are there so many damn graphs and charts?
The numerical units are also enormous.
“This concludes the review. As you are all directly or indirectly involved in the business, feel free to share your opinions.”
Overall, it was a neutral report.
There are advantages to the merger, but there are also disadvantages.
Is that all?
In a usual meeting, I would have presented my opinion at the right moment, but things are different now.
Everyone here is not ordinary.
The brothers of a chaebol family are engaged in a peculiar psychological warfare, and it’s clear that unnecessary involvement could lead to bloodshed.
So, everyone is keeping their mouths shut.
Therefore, I am thinking of taking advantage of their psychology.
“Does anyone have any objections?”
For a moment, everyone’s eyes narrowed.
Not exactly supportive expressions.
But who could say that in such a short moment?
Ah.
There is one.
“So, what’s the reason? Director Seo?”
Director Seo looked at me as if he could see through me.
On the surface, it might seem like he’s asking about the reasons for the branch merger, but the underlying meaning would be different.
The underlying meaning is straightforward:
Why are you suddenly being so insolent?
Heh.
Fine. I know too.
You must be curious why the foolish Seo Woojin suddenly takes an interest in management.
Why would I be?
Wouldn’t you think the same if you were in my shoes?
In a moment of pretending ignorance of the essence of the question, focused solely on responding to the issue of branch mergers,
Suddenly, the door to the meeting room opened.
“Who knocks during a meeting…? Oh?”
Vice Manager Jo Daewan, in the moment of attempting to restrain, froze as if his body had stiffened.
Followed by the cognitive dissonance.
It wasn’t just Vice Manager Jo; it applied to everyone sitting here.
“Huh? Huh??”
All these reactions.
Why?
Because the chairman of Seo Hwa Group, or rather, the founder, the grandfather, barged into the meeting room.